The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the low beam headlights were significantly dim and progressively worsened and became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer several times, where unknown repairs were performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Mitsubishi Outlander headlights problems
69 of the 1,329 owner complaints about the Mitsubishi Outlander describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 69
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical repair cost reported
- $850
- typical mileage
- 61,036
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Wipers 2Hesitation 2No deployment 2Loss of power 1Screen failure 1Harsh shifting 1
What owners say
If headlights are in auto position or were on prior to car starting (I.e. they were left in on position last time car was on), the headlights sometimes do not turn on even though the headlight icon is illuminated. Basically, headlights sometimes say they are on even though they are not.
Mitsubishi Motors has been contacted several times in the past about the ETACS system being faulty. The windshield wipers on this particular car went out in February, 2017, at which time they were contacted and rudely refused culpability. The car has had recall-related services completed: 2 windshield wiper recalls and a corrosion-related recall. I was told by the Mitsubishi tech in Asheville, NC that the recall on the wipers did not cover the faulty ETACS, "which is a common repair on 06-11 Mitsubishis." He was more than happy to give me a quote for more than $1,000 to replace the defective ETACS. We've replaced coil springs that snapped in two as I pulled out from my driveway with my children in tow - NOT covered by the recall because the mileage on the vehicle was 3,800 miles OVER Mitsubishi's pre-set mileage limit. I have had numerous problems out of the vehicle: coil springs snapped in two, ETACS failure, (still) non-functioning windshield wipers, corroded/rotted exhaust that cost nearly $1,000 to repair - not REPLACE but to REPAIR -, electrical failures related to headlights/interior lights/Bluetooth/cruise control, and severe cross member corrosion. I have reached out to Mitsubishi Motors several times since purchasing the vehicle, and other than speaking to extremely rude representatives three times by phone, no one has ever responded to me about my concerns. Most concerning right now: The anti-corrosion that was applied by the Mitsubishi dealership should have been a complete replacement of the front and back subframes, as BOTH are completely ROTTEN and CRUMBLING from rust! My daughter had been driving this vehicle with her baby in tow until recently! It is completely unacceptable that Mitsubishi Motors has not been held accountable and forced to fix these issues!
I rented this vehicle from Alamo/Enterprise at Denver Airport on 9/7/2025, and that day, while enroute to Casper WY hit a large deer on I-24 N in Wyoming where the posted speed limit is 80 mph, which was exactly the speed I was travelling. The deer was struck by the drivers side front of vehicle, causing extensive damage , loss of headlight and many small parts and electronic sensors as there were a number of dangling wires. The deer was killed instantly. My safety concern is that the air bags failed to deploy, which was surprising given the speed and over $17,000 damage estimate from: Enterprise, case # 23039354, contact person [XXX] can be reached at [XXX] at extension [XXX] . The car was drivable, after tying down all of the loose parts and wires and front grill. I feel that hitting a large deer at 80 mph should have set off air bags, but I could be wrong, since the radiator did not leak and the vehicle remained drivable- but I thought it was worth alerting you and being put in your data To see if other Mitsubishi Outlanders from 2025 have same problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander. While the contact’s wife was driving in a school zone, several unknown error codes became displayed. The Lane Departure warning light illuminated, and the automatic high beam headlights malfunctioned. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power, and the driver shifted to neutral(N) and back to drive(D) and was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 179,407.
There is a glitch in the electrical system. I have been replacing headlights constantly since I have purchased this vehicle in 2019. Last night was the final straw as both headlights went out at the same time. When I am stationary, you can watch the headlights surge when the vehicle is running. I have also had issues with the info center resetting for no reason during these glitches. No headlights at night is DANGEROUS!!!!
Complete loss of headlights while driving at night. Having to replace headlights monthly. Heater fuse keeps blowing.
2018 Mitishichi Headlights, left, then right stop working. Dealer replaced first one within 6 months. So far I have replaced one or the other 4 or 5 Times. I did complain to the federal safety agency . These lights have been out more than they have worked. Google indicates a large number of these issues but no recall from the federal safety agency.
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger’s side headlight failed to operate. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the headlight was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s side headlight failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the headlight needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.
This is now my second complaint to you. Again on the headlights this time they went out at the same time while driving on a two lane highway shortly after midnight.thank god I had high beans even though I'm sure the people I passed didn't appreciate it. Since owning this SUV I have had the bulbs replaced 5 times on the right side and 7 times on the left.was told by autozone that they believe the seal around the light is causing the moisture to enter and carrode .not sure if this is the real problem!. The price of these replacement bulbs are not cheap.I have never had an issue like this on any of my vehicles during my lifetime.... I see I am not the only one to complain about this issue, I found many complaints by searching the net..I feel this is a huge safety issue and it needs to be corrected by mitsubishi.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (Mitsubishi) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Outlander vehicles manufactured December 15, 2006, to October 31, 2007, and April 16, 2008, to August 22, 2009. In the affected vehicles, the brake light switch may malfunction causing the brake lights to not illuminate during brake application.
- Risk
- Brake lights that are inoperative would not warn other drivers that the vehicle is stopping, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch with a new one, free of charge. The recall began in mid-October 2014. Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1‑888‑648‑7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-14-010. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 08V‑680 and does not include any vehicles that were previously recalled.
Recall number 14V564000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- Mitsubishi is recalling 21,493 my 2007-2008 outlander vehicles equipped with LED type stop lamps and distributed in the united states and puerto rico. The brake lamp switch may malfunction and cause the stop lamps to not illuminate during brake application.
- Risk
- The failure of the brake lamps to illuminate when the brakes are applied will not provide warning to following traffic and could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the stop lamp switch. The recall is expected to begin during february 2009. Owners may contact mitsubishi at 1‑800‑222‑0037.
Recall number 08V680000 · Recall details
Questions about the Mitsubishi Outlander headlights
Which Mitsubishi Outlander years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (17 complaints), 2016 (11 complaints) and 2007 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the Mitsubishi Outlander?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $850 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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